TONY IS HERE AND HES YOUNG AND SAD AND A LITTLE BOI GENIUS PRICK.
nuff said. be warned, its a slow read, so savor it.
thanks to misfortuneandflamingos for beta reading.
Chapter Text
"Machines make you powerful, but when the machine isn't good enough, it takes away the people you love" - Tony Stark (A.X.E. Avengers #1)
After a short weekend and a Sunday at church, David constanted the Lab while Laura worked her part time job at a book publishing office, picking up more hours to compensate for David's absence from home.
Laura wasn't so fond of being home by herself, and decided she would rather work than sit alone in the house.
At Banner's lab, the adjustments and updates to the equipment were still underway, but almost finished. Everything had new labels or blank labels waiting to be filled for new buttons, settings, etc.
David knew his way around every machine, though, as if he had made them himself. Orion ended up begrudgingly letting David help finish up the installations and updates. So, Banner was ahead of everyone, working the machinery with ease; 12 hours a day, 16 hours, 18 hours.
It was all classified work for the government, but he was ultimately working just to get home and see Laura.
Laura
Sitting in the breakroom he stared into a lukewarm cup of coffee, a small grin on his face.
He wanted to see her rest her forehead against the plane's window and awe at the passing scenery as they made their way to California. He wanted to picnic on a cliff by the beach in the morning sun, sipping coffee and eating small confections. He wanted to sleep without nightmares in a small, quiet, hotel room.
It was just beyond his grasp.
A hand clasped on his shoulder and he flinched out of the daydream.
"You've been here a while, Banner," it was Dr. Adler, his partner on the project. At 6'5 Dr. Hennesy Adler stood 9 inches taller than Banner. Most of the height was in his legs. When walking side by side his trunk-like body was a foil to Banner's short and sparse one.
So much so that in the office, people secretly referred to them as Tom and Jerry.
Banner looked up, Adler's countenance was kind yet determinate under a gruff, auburn beard and thick glasses. He was of the talkative, charismatic type and most people in the building knew Banner because they knew Adler. Hennesy was just that type of guy.
"Yeah," he sighed, "been here since 6am. I used my key to get in early," It was now 5pm. A subtle and dark violet circled his eyes.
"Damn, Banner," Adler kept a heavy hand on David's shoulder, "Listen, I don't think the government needs you working 18 hours on a gamma-ray-proof suit when they haven't even built a spaceship to go with it. Go home, you've worked all the extra hours you need."
David didn't want to leave until everyone else did. They were partners, and as much as he trusted Hennesy to run the tests and record adjustments, he didn't like being absent from the project.
After his time as a physician and physicist in Vietnam, Banner had been offered a job to work on Project Aura. Ever since he accepted the position as co-scientist, Project Aura had been an ongoing endeavor to produce a fully gamma-proof suit that could neutralize any radiation threatening to infiltrate it. In other words, to create an 'aura' of radiation protection around its wearers. Rumors were it was going to be used in space to explore planets closer to the sun, but not even Banner or Hennesyreallyknew what they were designing it for.
Banner had seen war, Banner knew fear. But what he remembered more during his time in Vietnam were the moments of security he felt amidst that fear. Being able to produce a protective suit was not just a job for him, it was a personal pursuit to make others feel secure, to ensure one less thing could harm humans. To put it simply, he was in a scientific war against radiation "it's more than that, you know. Ideally, if we found the right combination of materials, It could potentially be used to protect people from certain bombs, radiation poisoning, as well as the gamma in space while treading on planets with a greater solar-proximity. Beyond that-"
"Beyond that, the outcomes are limitless," Adler finished for Banner and smiled, "I was hoping you would say that," and took his hand off David's shoulder. "I've got to admit, you have fervor where I lack it. Now, I don't mind going solo for 4 more hours but if you want to stay, that's up to you."
"You know me, I'll stay," Banner stood up and swung on his white lab coat, "Was just daydreaming is all, you know how it is."
Hennesy nodded, putting david at ease as he continued to switch the subject "you know, what you said about the spaceship; maybe it's reversed, maybe they're waiting for the suit to be finished before they build the ship." he laughed weakly, dumping his coffee in the trash can, "you never know with the government. They'll inevitably spring something on us that we didn't see coming… I just don't know if I want to polish up my aerospace engineering knowledge."
"Awe shut up," Adler elbowed him as they exited the breakroom into the lab, "you wouldn't have to polish up on anything and you know it… But gamma is where you shine, so gamma is where you'll stay, no doubt."
He's right,thought Banner,I'll probably stay in the radiation department wasn't very daunting to him. In fact, he wouldn't complain if he worked in the same place for the rest of his life so long as it dealt with gamma. It was his specialty. So much so, that being recruited by the government gained him enough recognition to being one step closer to slowly becoming the world's leading authority on it.
Banner shrugged under the white coat which hung on his slim shoulders,"Probably, And where do you think you'll stay?"
"Eh" Adler waved it off, "I've been thrown around all over the place. I'll be happy wherever they put me. Rockets sound-"
Just then Ms. Sollen, the middle aged secretary, walked through the door in her usual prim fashion interrupting the conversation, "doctors, are you busy?"
"No, Debbi. What is it?" Hennesy asked.
She shook her graying bob back and forth and pushed her glasses up, "Its not a what, is a who…"
"Ok,whois it?"
Debbie bit her lip, " uh well- you see- their company was unexpected so I had to come in here and tell the both of you."
"And?" Hennesy asked, "Listen, if it's the project overseers, don't worry, we've made progress, there's nothing they could be mad about."
"Well," She peeked back into the hallway then back in, "its not necessarily the overseers. Maybe I should have told them to wait- or made myself wait until I could announce them properly. You know, I wonder why you guys dont get more visitors…" she kept talking and peeking back into the hallway and resuming again, going down further rabbit holes.
Hennesy tapped his foot rather impatient. He was the sort of man who enjoyed knowing things as much as the gossipy hairdresser down the street did. Debbie was beating around the bush and he didn't appreciate it. He craned his neck, keeping his eyes peeled for movement through the small door-window.
Meanwhile, David stood there silently, kicking some dust on the floor and thinking of if he had packed everything for the trip to California tomorrow morning. He could not have paid less attention. Debbie usually made a big deal out of things, anyways.
Hennesy on the other hand had had enough, "Deb, who's here for me?" he cut her short.
Debbie got very quiet and folded her hands together, "Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but he's here for…Dr. Banner andonlyDr. Banner."
Adler glanced through his thick, circular lenses at the speechless David who had perked his head up at the mention of his name.
There was something in his introversion that hoped a classified job would keep him from attracting too many people.
When he used to work in New York, There were a countless number of colleges, hospitals and labs, not to mention shady drug and weaponry businesses that had bombarded him, pursuing his intellectual talents.
The thought that another unwanted offer might be waiting for him was enough to give him pause.
Who would know where to find me? Sure, I've been in a couple science magazines here and there, but I'm currently buried beneath government work on a long-term project no one has ever heard about.
"Banner?" Hennesy kept tapping his foot and waited before turning to Debbie, "Maybe they should talk tome, I mean, look at him."
The man was gliding down a slippery slope of concerns.
No one would know about me being here…No one SHOULD know…unless they have government classification… that, or a whole bunch of money. Maybe it's just a routine check in or they're firing me or making me work on a damn spaceship.
"Oh, shut up…" She took a deep breath and stared at the small, statuesque scientist, "David?" She asked, softening her voice as if to talk to a toddler.
It could be Brian, Father. He could have found my name in some government records and- and-
"David are you alright?"
"Um" his mind reluctantly drifted out of it, "yeah, yeah. I'm fine. I guess it's just odd that they're not asking for the both of us… uh, Who is it?"
She cleared her throat in the echoey lab, "it's a, uh," she walked up to David and whispered in his ear.
The slightest shift in his expression could only be read as a suppressed sense of surprise, "Anthony?" David said plainly.
Ms. Sollen's eyes widened, "You-you know him? You know him well?"
"Know who?" Adler asked, but both ignored him.
"Well, uh," David scratched his head, a little embarrassed, "we had a couple run-in's at CalTech when we were both students. I wasn't the most socialized individual and he was… well, it doesn't matter does it? I respect him. Five years younger than me and he's an absolute genius," Banner shrugged.
"Fellowgenius," 23 year old Anthony (Tony) Stark strolled in, startling Debbi, "Hi," he turned to her "sorry, I just didn't want to keep waiting out there" he said with passive politeness, "look, could I get him alone?" He pointed a graceful, silver-ringed finger at David.
"Of- of course, there's a, uh, separate room where-"
Anthony shook his head and took off a pair of aviators he had been wearing "No, no. I don't think you understand," He casually folded the glasses, placing them in his silk-lined coat pocket. He was a man of splurging, of luxury, "I mean I need him here, in this office-lab thing with the whole cold, windowless, techy get-up," he motioned to the equipment-cluttered room, locking eyes with Banner for a split second, before looking down at Debbi expectantly.
If anything, he has a cautioned himself,He always has a motive.
Debbie was dumbfounded at the demanding youngster. She had only ever seen him in the media which had a tendency to convey him as a charitable boy-genius.
The sight of Stark began to overwhelm Debbie for reasons Banner couldn't guess. Instead of returning his sass with some of her own, her trembling hand raised to steady her heart, "I-" She took a heart-swelling breath, sighing as Stark stood, biting the insides of his cheeks harder and harder, wishing he could shut up the old maid who was interrupting his plans, "I, I am so sorry-"
Sensing the awkwardness, David jumped in, "It's alright, guys. It won't take long." At least he hoped it wouldn't. Anthony was not an old friend, he was an old friend-turned-rival. Something Banner had gotten over fairly well after finishing college and going to Vietnam, but something he surely hadn't forgotten. David's sheer curiosity was the only thing that prevented Tony from being thrown out. He wanted to talk, and get it over with. The thing was, Tony clearly wanted the room. Banner peered up at Adler attempting to make him leave, "we have some tests to run in room #38 Trial Lab, right?" He peeked at his watch, "Running all the fabric sample swatches should take- what- 30 minutes?"
"Make it an hour," Tony raised a finger, "just in case. Maybe run some anti-ballistic tests while you're at it in room #39."
A suspicious side eye ran from Adler to Stark,"How do you know where-"
"Half of your fabric samples were sent from Stark Industries kudos of our collaboration with one of your weaponry supply generals Thaddeus Ross." Stark took a few leisurely steps towards Hennsy, his dark eyes never blinking, "I know where my things are, thank you. I designed them, they're my kids, and I keep track of my children's successes like any good father should. I think you'll find them the best out of the others."
"Ah, of course," Hennesy's was far from thrilled. Being shoved in a room by his young colleague and his young colleague's even younger college buddy sent a hot wave of inferiority through his otherwise fun demeanor. He had to cool it. After all, out of him and Banner, David was more of the expert on things. Though why a 23 year old Billionaire would want to talk to Banner was beyond him.
"Hmph, Yea, 'll get started." Hennesy mumbled and began to walk to the door. Shockingly, Stark reached out to shake his hand.
Anthony did so like a seasoned professional, looking, in the instant, like an aged politician.
He has his father's poise, no doubt about it.
Stark kept hold of Hennesy's hand, "Dr. Adler, right? Hennesy? Love your work on those multi-lense space rovers with the little compartments and hands and stuff. Truly one of my favorite things to study back in my college days. If you ever want to design a moremodernizedone, I have a few ideas," he let go of his hand, "Thank you for your work."
Hennesy didn't know what to say, the kid seemed both flattering and insulting at the same time… but what were child-prodigies for?
"No," he cleared his throat with a polite "thankyou," forcing some cheeriness and walked stiffly out of the lab, Ms. Sollen following.
The young Anthony peered behind him and waited for them to be out of sight.
Tony looked clean and professional as always, donning a trim, slate colored suit and a silk, apricot shirt, peculiarly patterned and buttoned perhaps one button too low for taste.
No doubt however, it looked good on Tony, because, after all, it was Tony. His air of pomp and his dark Italian visage just… worked with everything. The way he commanded the room was sickening.
He was still young though, still a boy, and the baby-face of a spoiled child still loomed around his cheeks and jawline.
A couple makeup-covered patches of acne dotted his hairline.
But a couple things were characteristically out of place, even for a disorderly kid who's butler was always there to clean up after him.
Banner observed these things; a handkerchief clumsily shoved in his pocket from constant use, scuffs on the leather loafers, the gel in his hair broken up and run through by his fingers. One of Tony's hands nervously fidgeted with something in his pocket.
David took note of this, along the dark circles around Tony's eyes like a halo of deathly grey.
It was a look that brought Banner back. Multiple soldiers had seared that look into his memory. A look of terror amongst other things.
Back when Debbi and Adler were present, Tony was good at hiding it, surprisingly good. But now that they were gone, something in him relaxed and let loose every ounce he had been holding in.
Why he would be scared or nervous, David didn't know, nor did he really want to. But there was a reason Tony was there, asking forhimof all people. So, Banner resolved to proceed carefully. "Anthony, if I can help you with-"
The boy nodded, "Yeah- yes," he rubbed his hands together, "I need your help" he said shortly, darting his eyes around the room. The sophisticated countenance he had donned before had melted. "Lets walk over here," he pointed a shaky finger towards the far corner and they started to walk, "It took a lot of convincing to come in here without my bodyguards," he weakly laughed, "so let's get as far away from them as possible." He was spooked, that was for sure, but his confidence still flickered through. After all, Confidence was his identity, he ran on it.
This kid can do whatever he wants and he's escaping his guards and chasing after a dull college acquaintance?
Something didn't add up. David and Tony were not and had never been close by any means. Just because they were competing geniuses didn't mean they rubbed elbows.
Back in their college days there wasnt a chance. A billionaire, charismatic teenager and an anti-social, avoidant 20 year old? No. For the most part they kept to themselves.
Nervous sweat collected and glistened at Tony's temples.
Maybe David could lighten the mood, "It's been, what, 5 years since that astrophysics class?"
"Yeah," said Stark, peering around at the large lab filled with computers and state of the art machinery
"Is that what you're here about? A science question or-"
"-No. No… well, yes." he began to swing open cabinets, poking around in them. David followed at a distance, wondering if Tony was high.
He couldn't get him to focus. "Listen, can I get you a cup of coffee maybe?"
"I just, um," he reached a hand into one of the cabinets.
That had done it, "Tony!"
"What? No, no coffee." he mumbled, "Some whisky would be nice but- Nevermind."
David reached up and slammed the cabinet closed.
"Fuck!" Tony said, ducking.
"You tell me what you came here for or you are leaving. This isn't a 'mi casa es su casa' situation… no matter what is going on"
"Is that a Gamma Ray Projector?"The boy nodded at a large, dusty chair surrounded by what looked like 3, pointed cameras and a variety of jumbled wires hung on a variety of jumbled screens.
Agenda, agenda, agenda, David. He changed the subject, trying to pry his way to somewhere he shouldn't be.
"Anthony, I'm not telling you until you get you're hands and you're- you're EYES off of everything, come over here, and ask me."
The movement in Tony was hesitation, reluctancy, but he lifted his shoulders and approached calmly, swallowing whatever idiotic comeback he wanted to say as he looked Banner in the eyes, "is that a gamma ray projector?"
Woah. Hes- hes not kidding. He really needs something.
"Yes, well, it's the skeleton of one. They're using its old parts to build a new one in the medical wing, room 518. It's taking a while. We've been using a small scale one for the meantime... Is that what you came here for?"
Tony took a deep breath and looked with ruffled eyebrows at David "No, I need-" he cleared his throat to words that felt like bitter medicine, 'I need… your help." he gagged "God, i've been saying that too much recently."
"My help?"
"Yeah, You're working on a suit, right?"
"Its classified, I don't even know how you got in here-"
"Bullshit, Banner. My name is Tony Stark. I can enter wherever the hell I want. Now I can show you my classification card or you can just tell me: you're working on a suit right?"
David tightened his jaw, teeth digging into each other.
Privileged little prick… but if he got through the doors, he's got the classifications to get an answer.
He let his jaw relax, "Yes, I'm working on a suit." he said plainly, wondering where all of this was going.
"Good, And it's supposed to be gamma-proof or something?"
David scoffed, "Its more than that; gamma proof, maneuverable, suitable for outer space-"
"Bulletproof?" he asked expectantly.
"No," David said slowly, "if you're looking for a bulletproof suit, though, I have some people I would recommend."
"Why not?"
Banner was growing impatient, he had work to get back to. If Tony wanted a Bulletproof suit he could make one himself. "Why not what?"
"You're the first fucking scientist to work on some supersuit and you're not going to make it bulletproof? God, David, you're better than that." Tony looked like he was on the verge of a laughing fit. A few minutes ago he was sweating like a pig and now he was… he was… what was he doing here?
A swift step and David closed into an intimidatingly close proximity to the boy.
"If you have a REAL reason you're here," David started, slow and collected, "I need it now. Otherwise you're wasting my time."
The boy-genius didn't flinch, didn't move, didnt breathe as the thin, overworked scientist stared at him, baggy eyed and fiery.
They stood like that for a long moment. Longer than Tony would have liked. But he was at the mercy of David, and so he waited. Waited until David took a deep breath and backed away.
Tony's mouth opened, then closed, struggling for words. His bottom lip quivered for a moment long enough for David to notice before he started to speak, "You don't strike me as someone who keeps up with the news much, so I am going to give it to you straight, David. My parents were killed two nights ago."
"Howard? I was his intern and-"
"I know. Everyone says they died, but I know it was murder. How could it not be?"
Two days ago? And he's walking around without his bodyguards?
He continued without hesitation, as if the death of his parents was just a part of an equation he'd been meditating on, "They died, and I could be next," Stark said frankly, "I've been up since that day thinking, researching, trying to figure out a method of protection. Protection from everything- Bullets, radiation, water, fire, freezing, pressure… and then I came across your name in a book I found opened in my fathers study" he grinned, "its been a wild goose chase. That is, until now," He stared into Banner's eyes like Pirate looking at treasure, "you can help me or- or- I could help you."
Once consumed with an idea, Tony had a tendency to regard his work as the only reality that existed, that all other factors were small instances deflecting off his bubble of science and engineering. He was consumed now as they spoke, running math problems in his head.
David knew the feeling all too well. But Tonywasaffected by the past couple days. Whether he recognised it or not a strong sense of desperation emitted from every inch of his usually cool, playboy persona.
"Tony…" David began, "I'm sorry, I didn't know, but there's not much I can do currently. It's not a defense suit and the moral implications of a weaponized suit are…"
"I know, I know. But just give me a chance. Sit down with me sometime."
"We could talk about it but I cant promise anything. Why dont you ask someone else?"
Tony scoffed, "cause you're a ghost-man, Banner. The last thing I need is more publicity. Sure, you have some articles, a book here and there, but you live under a rock. A rock that nobody has been lifting so far as I can see."
"Except for you."
"No, I'm crawling under the rock with you. And if it's so important for you to remain hidden in your anti-social mysterioso, I can help you disappear at any moment. One phone call and poof, you're someone else."
"Hypothetically speaking i couldn't help you for a while." Banner shoved his hands in his pockets, thinking. If he didn't agree to help Tony, someone more recklesswould.
"Then when? I have these sketches, these designs I've been working on back home, but I need you to look them over, maybe reinforce or add to them since you've been at this for, what, 8 months and 23 days now?"
On the dot, plus 11 hours and 43 minutes.
"You know how long I've been working here? You read the files?" asked David bewildered.
"Read? No. Jarvis, my butler, read them for me and debriefed me on the way over," He rested his hand on David's shoulder, "You're onto something," Stark whispered, "I know it."
Tony wasn't the kind to ask for help but he was currently grasping for anything. He didn't feel comfortable in his own skin anymore, he didn't feel comfortable with even the air that he breathed. He didn't trust his bodyguards, or the pilot that flew him over, or even Ms. Sollen who welcomed him in. However, he knew for some reason that he could trust David.
On the reverse, Banner had been working on this project longer than he would have liked to. Adler was helpful, but honestly weighed him down. He, too, was grasping for help. But trusting Stark would be a difficult task.
It wouldn't be hard to write up a contract and make him sign it. David would have the government's backing, keeping Anthony accountable.
Taking advantage of his grief though?It didn't sit right with David,he needs time.
Tony started back up, "I can come before hours, after hours, help you finish it while I take notes. You could- you could take me as an intern or something! I pull a few strings, you pull a few strings…." Tony slowly released his grip from the white lab coat, "I can pay you…"
Head down, fists resting on his hips, David thought of what to do.
He didn't want Tony's money. And he didn't want to give him an answer today. Tony needed time, they both needed time.
The boy silently waited, glancing at the door every now and then.
It wasn't that Tony was scared of getting killed like his parents, but was rather scared of saying he never tried to prevent the same thing from happening to him.
He wanted to at least try. And if hedidmake the suit he had been dreaming up, the hunt for whoever killed his parents would be infinitely easier.
Tony couldn't take the silence, "Listen, I know you go to California tomorrow-"
David perked up, flabbergasted.
"Don't ask me how I know. Just enjoy your trip," Tony Reached out and shook David's hand, slipping his personal card between Banner's thin fingers, "I've overstayed my welcome. Just call me when you're back."
Just then, a slender, elderly man with a long face and old-fashioned suit appeared at the doorway. He wore all black, even down to his gloves which held an expensive looking car key.
"Jarvis," said Tony, "right on time."
David looked down at the card, flipping it over. Tony's name and number were stamped in gold leaf.
Jarvis gave a small bow at Banner and then at Stark, "The funeral starts in 2 hours, sir. I've packed your suit and if we can make it to the airport on time they can fly us private, first class." his British accent cut crisply through the air.
"Thanks, Jarvis." Tony mumbled, making his way to the door. He quickly glanced back, catching eyes with David, and then motioning to the card before disappearing out of sight.
David lingered, leaning back on the counter.
"Super suit," banner whispered to himself, repeating Tony's words.
The idea was tempting. If he was going so far as to create the Gamma suit, why not take it a step further?
There was something reckless in the thought, and yet in the right hands a protective suit like that would ensure the safety of people in serious threat. On the reverse, in the wrong hands it could be weaponized, making any enemy virtually indestructible… if and only if the plan worked out.
Was Anthony Stark the "right hands"? It wasn't clear.
His parents just DIED, David, of course he's not the "right hands." … or maybe his parents' death is what would make him precisely the right man to handle a "super suit".
Tony's appearance and disappearance had happened so quickly that David didn't quite know what to think. In fact, he wasn't sure he wanted to think at all. His bags were packed, waiting for California tomorrow, and his bed was calling his name.
Maybe he could call it a night.
David made his way through the corridors and peered into room #38 where Hennesy was hunched over a microscope, looking at a fabric swatch.
David opened the door with his key and leaned against the doorpost. He focused on his shoes, trying to shake off the previous attention Stark brought with some nonchalance.
Dr. Adler swiveled quickly to face Banner, "What did he want?" he asked eagerly.
Debbi's quick, higheeled, footsteps could be heard closing in.
"Nothing, Doctor," he tried to laugh, to play it off, "I worked with his father for a few months back in the day so he just came to reminisce…" He had indeed worked for Howard Stark 4 years ago. So, he wasn't lying, just jumbling the truth, "Poor kid."
"Yeah," Adler said curtly, "you think his folks were murdered?"
David swallowed, holding back his opinions, "listen, I think I'm actually going to take you up on that offer to go home early. Laura called and she doesn't want to go to bed until I make it home. she thinks it's going to storm or something." Another lie.
Hennesy was not amused, "sure, Banner." he said flatly.
"Thanks," David took the back door out while stuffing Stark's card in his wallet.
Something told him he would need it later.